Priority Pass Vancouver – Get Pampered Before You Fly!

Do you know about the Priority Pass Lounges at Vancouver International Airport (YVR)? In addition to making sure your passport is up to date, you need a place to relax, somewhere to eat and maybe even take a nap between connecting flights. A Priority Pass Lounge may be a great place for you!

I’ve got all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether paying for access to a Priority Pass Lounge is worth it for you. Let’s go!

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Vancouver Airport Lounges

Priority Pass is a company in the business of providing lounges in airports around the world.

Most international airports, including YVR, have private airport lounges that can be accessed by the public in a variety of ways:

By acquiring an annual membership – such as Priority Pass.

paying a one-time entrance fee to the lounge.

flying Business class or First Class with a particular airline. For example, if you fly Business Class or First Class with Air Canada, you can access the Maple Leaf Lounge. Likewise, flying premium classes on Cathay Pacific garners access to the Cathay Pacific Lounges.

Priority Pass has a number of lounges at YVR in the domestic, USA and International terminals. Lounge options in the Priority Pass program include Plaza Premium lounges, Skyteam, Mera, and other First Class, VIP/Business Lounges worldwide.

See here for an up to date listing of all 1200+ Priority Pass Lounges worldwide.

Priority Pass Vancouver

When deciding which Priority Pass lounge to use at YVR, you must first determine what terminal you’ll be flying out of. All Priority Pass lounges are located beyond the security checkpoints. You’ll only be able to access lounges located in the terminal you are flying out of.

Please note: USA bound flights leave YVR via the USA terminal, not the international terminal. If your destination is in the USA, you will not be able to access the lounges in the international terminal.

Domestic Terminal – Flights within Canada

There are two Priority Pass lounges within the domestic terminal to choose from.

Large lounge with many seating options from dining areas, upholstered chairs

Food Offerings:

A variety of hot and cold food is available including continental and Asian cuisine as well as snacks and sweets

Liquor:

Full service bar

How to access:

Priority Pass membership, walk in $50/2 hours

This is a very large and comfortable lounge. Some areas of the lounge are often reserved for access by premium travelers on specific airlines.

We accessed this lounge in February 2019 before our trip to Cancun and found many different food options. It was not at all crowded when we visited. The lounge was clean and comfortable. There are great views from the large windows out onto the tarmac at YVR. I can imagine easily spending many hours in this comfortable lounge.

Skyteam Lounge YVR – Level 3, near gate 53.

Hours:

24 hours

Conditions:

one child under 12 admitted free with adult. Shoes and shirts required for service.

Priority Pass membership, international premium/elite passengers on AeroMexico, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta, KLM, Korean Air all have access. No pay at the door options.

This is the nicest lounge at YVR in our opinion. Newly opened in late 2017, at 5600 square feet it offers a bright and airy space with a very large number of seating options. There are great views of the operations area of the airport from many of the seating areas. There is no sleeping area. The shower facilities are clean and well kept.

We accessed this lounge in February 2019 in the morning and found it very quiet. The staff were very attentive to our needs and the food offered was tasty.

The Skyteam lounge is an easy 5 minute walk from the Plaza Premium Lounge described above. It would be easy to try both lounges while you’re waiting for your international flight to board. That’s exactly what we did on our last flight when we went to Cancun!

Priority Pass Vancouver – is it for me?

When considering whether you want access to Priority Pass lounges when you travel, you should consider:

how much will you be traveling?

who will be traveling with you?

what value do you place on having a quiet, connected space at the airport?

where will you be traveling?

There are more than 1200 Priority Pass lounges worldwide. You’re bound to find a nice lounge to relax in before your flight where ever you travel. Most lounges offer food enough for a meal, free alcohol and free WIFI. You’ll also have no trouble finding a power outlet to ensure your devices remain functional.

If you are a frequent traveler (maybe you’re working on your travel bucket list), having access to a quiet and comfortable lounge at the airport will be extra important. Seeing the value of a comfortable and quiet lounge to enjoy is not difficult. This is especially true after you’ve spent time in one of the noisy, crowded and uncomfortable public lounges!

Options for Priority Pass Vancouver Lounge Access

Priority Pass offers 3 tiers of membership access:

Standard: Annual fee of $99, allows for lounge access at a cost of $32 per visit, and guest access at $32 per visit. A savings from walk-in prices.

A Better Way to Access Vancouver Airport Lounges

My secret for access to Priority Pass Lounges as well as many other lounges worldwide is by having an American Express Platinum Card. Platinum cardholders are eligible for a wide variety of benefits, including the following lounge access:

Priority Pass membership: all cardholders may access a Priority Pass lounge at no charge, and may bring a guest at no additional charge.

The annual membership fee for an American Express Platinum Card is $699. When calculating the benefits acquired with the card, the annual fee is definitely worth it. The value of the lounge access together with the insurance benefits is more than the cost of the membership fee!

To earn an additional 10,000 membership reward points for a total of 60,000 points, apply for an American Express Platinum card via this link.

Do you use premium airport lounges when you travel? Which one is your favourite?